Intelligent pillbox: evaluating the user perceptions of elderly people

Abstract

Pillboxes represent a good solution in the adherence to medical prescriptions for elderly people. They are built taking into account aspects as ergonomic criteria, several doses of medicine and another consideration about their design. Therefore, we have presented a pillbox prototype which helps elderly people in taking all doses of medicine. This paper presents the next step towards a useful device, here is presented an empirical evaluation of the “Intelligent Pillbox” by using the Technology Acceptance Model to evaluate the ease of use perception, usefulness perception and intention to use in the future of this new technological device. The evaluation consists of a quasi-experiment which was performed by 45 elderly people, who attended to institutions focused on work with this priority group in several integration activities. Results show positive perceptions of this solution that indicates the intention to use in the future and provide us insights about possible improvements.